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Leaders sign off on plan to close Rollover Pass
James Nielsen, Staff Auda Derby of Greenville makes a cast at Rollover Pass in November 2009, in Gilchrist. Rollover pass is slated for closure by the Texas General Land Office.
By Sarah Moore
October 10, 2013
BEAUMONT - Galveston County's acquisition of the popular Rollover Pass - by eminent domain, if necessary - so it can be closed depends on the state's commitment to build a pier and park there.
The project, conceived after Hurricane Ike scoured Bolivar Peninsula, began moving forward last week with the signing of a contract between the county and the Texas General Land Office, stating that in exchange for the park and pier at the site, the county agrees to acquire the property by eminent domain, if necessary, Galveston Commissioner Ryan Dennard said.
The signing comes after the state agency said a study indicates the closure would have no negative environmental impact.
The study, conducted by Florida-based Taylor Engineering, indicated salt water that flows into Galveston Bay via Rollover harms commercial oyster beds and "alters the fragile estuarine system that serves as one of the most important cradles of the Gulf's many creatures," according to a news release from the land office.
Beach erosion
Studies over the years have shown that the pass contributes to beach erosion on Bolivar.
In addition, sand swept into the pass ends up in the Intracoastal Canal, from which it must be dredged at taxpayer expense.
The 81st Legislature approved $5.85 million to close the pass in 2008.
For diehard supporters of the pass, an enormously popular angling destination, the lure of a shiny new pier holds little appeal.
Warren Adams, who owns a home and business adjacent to the pass, is among the most outspoken critics of closing the pass.
Adams said the state overestimates the erosion that takes place because of the pass and contends that the erosion could be controlled with a jetty, which would help to build up the beaches around Gilchrist.
The land office contends that jetties, underwater baffles or other alternatives would not solve the problems caused by Rollover Pass.
Adams said a pier, no matter what its amenities, would never come close to replacing Rollover's fishing opportunities because it would not draw fish the way bay access does. And his business and others would be harmed because a pier would not draw as many fishermen.
Adams said he and other members of the Gilchrist Community Association will continue to fight Texas Land Commissioner Jerry Patterson to stop closure of the pass.
The property owner, the Gulf Coast Rod, Reel & Gun Club, is suing the state in federal court to halt closure of the pass. Plaintiffs' attorney Jim Blackburn said that lawsuit is still moving forward.
One issue listed in the petition- that the state lacks the power to condemn property - appears to have been disposed of by the county's agreement.
Foes a vocal minority?
To Blackburn, the main issue is property rights.
"It's destructive of private property rights against all property owners in Galveston," he said. "If they can do it to us, they can do it to anyone."
Dennard said he believes the opponents are a vocal minority and that closure of the pass is necessary.
"My primary concern is ensuring the (land office) keeps its commitment," he said in a phone interview Wednesday.
Leaders sign off on plan to close Rollover Pass
James Nielsen, Staff Auda Derby of Greenville makes a cast at Rollover Pass in November 2009, in Gilchrist. Rollover pass is slated for closure by the Texas General Land Office.
By Sarah Moore
October 10, 2013
BEAUMONT - Galveston County's acquisition of the popular Rollover Pass - by eminent domain, if necessary - so it can be closed depends on the state's commitment to build a pier and park there.
The project, conceived after Hurricane Ike scoured Bolivar Peninsula, began moving forward last week with the signing of a contract between the county and the Texas General Land Office, stating that in exchange for the park and pier at the site, the county agrees to acquire the property by eminent domain, if necessary, Galveston Commissioner Ryan Dennard said.
The signing comes after the state agency said a study indicates the closure would have no negative environmental impact.
The study, conducted by Florida-based Taylor Engineering, indicated salt water that flows into Galveston Bay via Rollover harms commercial oyster beds and "alters the fragile estuarine system that serves as one of the most important cradles of the Gulf's many creatures," according to a news release from the land office.
Beach erosion
Studies over the years have shown that the pass contributes to beach erosion on Bolivar.
In addition, sand swept into the pass ends up in the Intracoastal Canal, from which it must be dredged at taxpayer expense.
The 81st Legislature approved $5.85 million to close the pass in 2008.
For diehard supporters of the pass, an enormously popular angling destination, the lure of a shiny new pier holds little appeal.
Warren Adams, who owns a home and business adjacent to the pass, is among the most outspoken critics of closing the pass.
Adams said the state overestimates the erosion that takes place because of the pass and contends that the erosion could be controlled with a jetty, which would help to build up the beaches around Gilchrist.
The land office contends that jetties, underwater baffles or other alternatives would not solve the problems caused by Rollover Pass.
Adams said a pier, no matter what its amenities, would never come close to replacing Rollover's fishing opportunities because it would not draw fish the way bay access does. And his business and others would be harmed because a pier would not draw as many fishermen.
Adams said he and other members of the Gilchrist Community Association will continue to fight Texas Land Commissioner Jerry Patterson to stop closure of the pass.
The property owner, the Gulf Coast Rod, Reel & Gun Club, is suing the state in federal court to halt closure of the pass. Plaintiffs' attorney Jim Blackburn said that lawsuit is still moving forward.
One issue listed in the petition- that the state lacks the power to condemn property - appears to have been disposed of by the county's agreement.
Foes a vocal minority?
To Blackburn, the main issue is property rights.
"It's destructive of private property rights against all property owners in Galveston," he said. "If they can do it to us, they can do it to anyone."
Dennard said he believes the opponents are a vocal minority and that closure of the pass is necessary.
"My primary concern is ensuring the (land office) keeps its commitment," he said in a phone interview Wednesday.
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